The Complete Guide to Diving in Koh Tao

Koh Tao, also written Ko Tao, is the smallest and most remote of the three islands of the golf of Thailand. It is a small paradise island entirely dedicated to scuba diving. Almost thirty dive sites are accessible from the island. The Dive Site Chumphon Pinnacle, often considered as the best dive site in the Golf of Thailand is only accessible from Koh Tao. The small island also has the highest concentration of dive centers in Thailand and the world’s record of the number of PADI training.

Ko Tao is the perfect destination for anyone wanting to learn scuba-diving in Thailand. Hotels, dives and training are comparatively cheap in Ko Tao. On the evening, the atmosphere on Sairee Beach changes. Drinks and music takes over Nitrox bottles and wave’s sound. Experienced divers would certainly prefer to go dive on the cruiseur King of Koh Phi Phi, the Similan Islands near Khao Lak or the famous Hin Daeng and Hin Muang near Ko Lanta but beginners will enjoyed the chilled out atmosphere and dive Sites of Koh Tao.

When to go diving in Koh tao?

The best time to dive Ko Tao is undoubtedly from March to October. October and November are the rainiest period and visibility in Ko Tao gets worse from November to February. If you want to dive in Thailand in November, December or January, we advise you to dive on the Andaman Sea, west coast.
Furthermore, you will have better chances to dive with whale sharks in Koh Tao from March to May.

Scuba diving conditions

Scuba-Diving diving conditions in Ko Tao are perfect for new divers. Visibility is usually good and the curren is low on most of the dive sites. This is probably why Koh Tao is the best destination to learn scuba diving. You should avoid to scuba-dive from November to February. At this period, visibility is generally poor.
Visibility: Average to Good – 20 to 30 meters or 65 to 100 feet.
Current: Low - Koh Tao’s dive sites have low or no current.
Diver level: Easy - The Island is ideal for beginners

What to see while diving in Ko Tao?

In Koh Tao, with a little bit of luck, you will be able to dive with manta rays or whale sharks on Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock. Even if there is less Bullsharks than before in Koh Tao, you might be able to see one in Shark Island, also called Shark point, from August to Octobre. Beyond the large pelagic, you can find most of the common fish of Southeast Asia, such as stone fish, lion fish, moray eels, scorpion fish or clown fish. Generally, the seabed of ko tao consist of hard corals. The Japanese garden dive site is known for its colorful corals.